World class riders and horses competed in a thrilling Grand Prix benefiting Equest Farm in City Park.

Donning their best “cowboy casual,” equestrian enthusiasts at the 13th annual “Tails But No Black Tie” were treated to an elegant evening filled with spectacular horseback riding with proceeds donated to Equest Farm in New Orleans City Park.

Attendees arriving on the grounds were transported to a country estate and greeted by the magnificent participating USEF Champion Jumpers and World Class riders, each getting ready for the exciting Grand Prix and to compete for $10,000 in prize money. The horses seemed to love the company and attention as they got a pre-show grazing, grooming, hay or treats.

Patrons in the VIP Grandstand enjoyed an up-close view of the horses and riders, a private pre-event cocktail reception and hors d’oeuvres, reserved seating, exquisite catered dinner, open bar, entertainment by the Tom Fisher Jazz Ensemble and participation in the auction to win an exquisite rug donated by NOLA Rugs. Following the national anthem, these patrons had the opportunity to view the Parade of Horses and bet on which horse and rider team they felt would win the jump off competition in the New Orleans Grand Prix Calcutta. Leading bidders received 10 percent of the overall pot, with the remainder of proceeds donated to New Orleans City Park.

General Admission offered families and individuals access to view the horses and riders prior to the competition, along with a ringside view of the Grand Prix. The Competition teams navigated a 15-jump course with speed and precision. The teams that jumped a clean round competed again in a second round, the Jump Off, in which the winner had to jump a clean round against the clock. The exhilarating Grand Prix jumper competition followed with rider Holly Shepherd riding Manchester winning first and second place riding Ashland in the final round Jump Off.

Event at a Glance

What: “Tails But No Black Tie,” benefiting Equest Farm and Friends of City ParkWhen: Saturday, April 21Where: Equest Farm

Shelby, Britton and Sheila Sanderford

Barbara Arras, Richard Gill and Paula Dickey

This article appears in the September 2018 issue of St. Charles Avenue